KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Cole Aldrich, fighting back tears, said Monday he’ll skip his senior year at the University of Kansas and head for the NBA.
The 6-foot-11 center, who averaged almost a double-double for the Big 12 champions, is projected by most experts as a high first-round pick.
“The last three years have been pretty special,” he said.
Aldrich averaged 11.3 points and 9.8 rebounds for the Jayhawks, the overall No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament before they were upset by Northern Iowa. He also set a team record with 125 blocks.
The Jayhawks are still waiting for a decision by freshman swing man Xavier Henry, their second-leading scorer.
Wall, Cousins, Turner make All-America team.
Kentucky’s John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins were on The Associated Press All-America team.
Joining them were Ohio State junior Evan Turner, who received all but one first-team vote, Syracuse junior Wes Johnson and Villanova senior Scottie Reynolds.
Izzo shows little interest in possibly huge Oregon offer.
Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said Monday he is happy with his current job, responding to a report that Oregon wants to make him the richest coach in the nation.
KEZI-TV in Eugene, Ore., citing anonymous sources, reported the school plans to offer Izzo college basketball’s largest contract with help from Nike Inc. co-founder Phil Knight.
“I have not been contacted,” Izzo said. “I’m happy here, and I’m focused on trying to win another national championship.”
Izzo has the Spartans back in the Final Four for the sixth time in 12 seasons, a string of success accomplished only by UCLA’s John Wooden and Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski in NCAA history.
Footnotes.
Manny Harris, who averaged 18.1 points this season, says he’s skipping his senior season at Michigan to enter the NBA draft.
• Louisiana-Lafayette has hired former Sam Houston State coach Bob Marlin as the new head coach.
The Associated Press
